Bernie Sanders fans seek to lure Cruz supporters to their side

Bernie Sanders fans are attempting to recruit Ted Cruz supporters in their latest effort to prevent Hillary Clinton from securing the Democratic presidential nomination. After Cruz announced he's suspending his campaign following his Tuesday loss in Indiana, many Sanders supporters posted messages on Cruz's Facebook page urging his followers to instead join their fight against both Clinton and Donald Trump, who appears set to become the GOP nominee for president.

"I realize how heavy your hearts must be that Senator Cruz has dropped out of the race," Sanders supporter Linda Humason wrote in a 1,150-word letter addressed to Cruz's fans on his Facebook page. "Furthermore, I understand the fear some of you must have for the future with Donald Trump being the Republican nominee ... I warmly welcome you to join us if you don't want Trump in the White House. I truly believe that Bernie is the best chance we have to keep Trump out."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Attendees await the start of a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (not pictured) at Washington Square Park on April 13, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Attendees await the start of a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (not pictured) at Washington Square Park on April 13, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/WireImage)

Attendees hold signs in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, not pictured, at a campaign event in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Sanders stepped up his feud with General Electric Co., denouncing the manufacturer as 'greedy' and accusing Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt of not being truthful in responding to the attacks. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Natalia Plaza (L) and Suzanne Tufan, with their faces painted, wait for a campaign rally with U.S. Democratic presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders in Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York, New York April 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

An attendee wears a t-shirt in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, not pictured, at a campaign event in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Sanders stepped up his feud with General Electric Co., denouncing the manufacturer as 'greedy' and accusing Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt of not being truthful in responding to the attacks. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

An attendee holds a sign in support of Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont and 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, not pictured, at a campaign event in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. Sanders stepped up his feud with General Electric Co., denouncing the manufacturer as 'greedy' and accusing Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Immelt of not being truthful in responding to the attacks. Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Rosario Dawson speaks onstage at a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (not pictured) at Washington Square Park on April 13, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/WireImage)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 13: Film director Spike Lee attends the Bernie Sanders rally in Washington Square Park on April 13, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Mireya Acierto/FilmMagic)

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at his campaign rally in Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, April 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addresses supporters at his campaign rally in Washington Square Park in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of New York City, April 13, 2016. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

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The attempt by Sanders fans to bolster their ranks appears to be inspired -- at least in part -- by posts on the subreddit r/SandersForPresident, which is the most active group of strong, grassroots supporters for any candidate on Reddit. Vocativ discovered at least three threads in which users highlighted the possibility of a fresh influx of support now that Cruz halted his campaign.

The effort could have some merit, if Cruz fans are so disenfranchised by the idea of Trump leading the Republican Party that they decide to vote for a Democrat. But it seems unlikely, at least at this point, that many will end up siding with Sanders; few Cruz supporters responded to Sanders fans' appeals, and those who did appeared hard-pressed to jump so far to the left, even if it does seem Trump is set to become the Republican nominee and face off against Clinton in November.